Human rights: For the third year, US State Department report on Morocco includes its Sahara

On Mar 21, 2023

For the third consecutive year, the annual report of the U.S. State Department on human rights, published Monday, devotes a chapter to Morocco, including its Sahara.

This tradition, which has always been followed by American diplomacy in the elaboration of its reports, consecrates Washington’s approach in the treatment of the Sahara issue since the recognition by the United States of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern Territories in December 2020.

Regarding the political situation in the Kingdom, the report discusses the holding of local, regional, and legislative elections in September 2021, stressing that “national and international observers considered that the elections were generally free, fair and transparent”.

Regarding the situation of prison institutions in Morocco, the US diplomat stressed that “conditions in prisons have improved,” noting that “the Kingdom’s wassit institution has helped resolve many civil cases.

The US report adds that the National Council for Human Rights “continues to fulfill its role as a channel through which citizens express their complaints about human rights violations”.

On immigration, the US State Department highlights the kingdom’s humanitarian policy, pointing out that “the government has cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian organizations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and others under its jurisdiction.

“The government has also allocated financial support to humanitarian organizations to provide social services to migrants, including refugees,” the source said.

The report said that “the government has continued to grant refugee status recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees”, “noting that the kingdom has facilitated the voluntary return of migrants with the support of the International Organisation for Migration”.

In its latest Human Rights Report 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees enjoy equal access to justice and public services, including health and education, under the law.”